The best time to showcase who you are is when everyone writes you off. If you ask people about Real Madrid's chances of winning the Champions League this season, a few eyebrows will definitely be raised. Down and out, Real Madrid are not in the same vein of form as they were at the beginning of the season.

The Los Blancos currently sit 8 points below league leaders Barcelona in the points table and have suffered losses against league minnows Real Betis at home and against newly promoted Girona, playing away. Moreover, a humiliating 3-1 loss at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in the group stages of the Champions League has meant that Zinedine Zidane hasn't had a pleasant season as the boss of the Champions League winners this time around.

But, as they have shown on numerous occasions in the past, Real Madrid are capable of turning any situation around. The International break may have come just at the right time for Zidane to figure things out. Here are the 5 factors that can take the Madrid club to the pinnacle of European football once again.

#5 Indomitable character and quest for glory

Ramos is renowned for his late heroics

As much as football is a game of tactics and skills, individual character and team spirit have always played a crucial role in the success of any team. Real Madrid is one such team that thrives on its 'never say die' attitude and last minute heroics. No one canforget Sergio Ramos' header in the dying minutes of the 2014 Champions League Final against Atletico Madrid. Real then went on a rampage and thrashed Atletico 4-1 in extra time.

A more recent showcase of Real's tremendous character was exhibited against Juventus in the 2017 Champions League Final when they made a mockery of Juve's rock-solid defense (a defense, which had kept Barcelona's fabled MSN quiet over the 2 legs of the quarterfinals).

As a team, Real Madrid scored as many as 11 late goals around the last 10 minutes of the La Liga to earn hard-fought draws and stunning victories in the 2016-17 season. This turns out to be an extremely key stat considering how close the fight for the title went that year. Real Madrid are known to up their ante when it matters the most and their fans would be hoping for a turn around in the club's fortunes sooner rather than later.